New Family Member again

One Year and One Day after another angel (how neat is that?!):

I anounce the arrival of Marshal Samuel McCliment to parents Sam and Lupe, brother to Siiri Lentz at 11:18 a.m. 6-27-07 in Irving TX.

And yes, again, pictures will follow.

Baby Update

Well, we thought our daughter in law would deliver quickly but you can never tell when they are this early. They are now at almost 2 weeks since her water began leaking. She has been in the hospital on bed rest since Tuesday 6-12. Today she started having mild but definite and regular contractions. We went by this evening and she was riding the hormone roller coaster (she's very emotional) so my Beautiful Wife believes it won't be long now. She should know having been through it 5 times herself.

I will update when we know more.

Ride My See-Saw

"Ride, ride my see-saw
Take this place
On this trip
Just for me

Ride, take a free ride
Take my place
Have my seat
It's for free"

The last couple of months has been a little out of the ordinary for us. While our little world has been pretty stable since my wake up call in early March things for friends and loved ones have been a roller coaster of highs, lows, and not-sure's.

• In the spring of 2006 our son-in-law filmed a movie that aired on ABC this past Sunday: "Ruffian". He played Ruffian's jockey, Jacinto Vasquez. I realize I'm prejudiced but I thought he was fantastic. From some of the reviews I've seen I wasn't alone. He is a jockey and our daughter is an exercise rider at Penn National race track just outside of Hershey, PA. Congratulations Vladdie!!
• A very dear friend lost her job of 6 years unexpectedly the other day. The reason was of her own making. She had been warned by me and several others (including her husband) for months that she needed to be careful how she acted and conducted herself on the job. When everything went down I was hit with some of the shrapnel of the explosion...I was in a position to have knowledge the day before but because of the responsibilities of that position I was bound by confidentiality and couldn't say anything. I had to let the normal chain of command work. She thought I should have warned her ahead of time. I disagreed and still do. I felt that by counseling her over the last several months and very plainly explaining the "if/then" possibilities that I had done all I could as a friend to try to help. Comes a point that a person has to stand on their own 2 feet and face the consequences of their actions alone for better or worse. That time came for her a couple of weeks ago and nothing I or anyone else could do or say was going to change the results of her actions. I may never see our friendship restored but it won't change the fact that I love her more than she can know.
• Re-established contact with my brother's sons after not knowing where they were the last 7 years. This was an unexpected pleasure. On the flip side it brought back some painful memories about my brother's death that I had managed to bury. Also there is some unfinished business regarding Mom's estate. I hope their expectations are realistic and they aren't looking to hit the lottery.
• Late yesterday our oldest son carried his wife to the hospital. They are expecting their first child in early August but her sack tore. They will probably deliver the baby in the next day or two. Mother and child are fine and the baby is very close to 4 lbs. so if she delivers they are confident everything will be fine.

A mixed bag of events, some still in flux. Our lives seem pretty calm and unimportant right now despite everything that's going on. This is one of those times we have to trust God because we sure can't do anything on our own. I will report back when I know more.

Summer

While we were busy with life the seasons turned. Our area has suffered a terrible drought the last couple of years but it started raining in February and hasn't really stopped. Usually by the first of June around here the grass is starting to die out from heat stress...this time we're having problems with too much water. Haven't been able to swim any because the waters just too cold!

Maybe we will have a summer like '92. That was the year mom was in the hospital all of July and August. I had a huge problem finding enough dry time to take care of her yard and mine. We didn't have hardly any days above the mid 90's.


The wet weather this spring has officially busted our drought. It's been just what the doctor ordered for my freshly laid back yard:




80% of what you see was laid in early April. Our main problem is all those trees. They make an absolutely beautiful canopy but it's murder trying to get grass to grow under them. I'll have to get out this weekend and play lumberjack and try to get some light down especially in the far back without ruining our shade.